The main reason for the conflict within the Spratly islands lies in the territorial disputes and quarrels among the different countries. Natural resources include fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential. There are mainly 2 reasons for disputes to occur in these islands mainly

1. The potential oil and natural gas reserves that lies dormant under the Spratly Islands. 2. Construction of the Busiest portAsia’s had been experiencing a rapid economic boom with giants such as China emerging as the next economic superpower. However, its economic advancement requires a large amount of energy and to claim the Spratly Islands would be useful for the countries’ future economic advancement. The 6 countries involve in the conflict is mainly Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, China, Taiwan and Vietnam. Each of these countries requires the oil and natural resources within the sea bed of the Spratly islands to serve for these economic needs. Many of the emerging Asian countries require oil from the Middle East and Africa, these resources would have to pass through the Strait of Malacca into the South China Sea. The Spratly Islands lies on the strategic lines of the South China Sea therefore means that all 6 countries hope to have their hands on the Spratly islands to set up a sea port along the South China Seas. Over half of the world’s merchant fleet sails through the South China Sea every year. Therefore setting up a sea port at the Spratly Islands would therefore create one of the busiest ports in the world. This port will create numerous job opportunities and revenues for emerging countries. This had therefore sparked a part of the conflict as due to countries desire for the strategic location to belong to them, they would quarrel and fight over the claims of these islands to support their economic needs. However, the main reason for the conflict for the Spratly Islands would still be the scarce oil and natural resources found in the Spratly Islands....

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...Due to Spratlys’ potential in terms of prosperity in resources, many countries are interested in claiming its ownership, namely Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, China, and Philippines. The Spratlys are located in the South China Sea between these countires. There are a number of reasons why the neighboring countries want to own the islands. Firstly, it is a great source of oil. It is estimated that the Spratly holds even greater natural gas reserves compared to Kuwait and is the fourth largest reserve bed in the world. From this, China’s motive could be seen since they have inadequate oil refinery and extraction capabilities. On the other hand, Brunei, being already a main producer of oil, has a different focus which will be discussed next. Second are the resources available for commercial fishing since coral reefs are the predominant structures of these islands. It is considered as one of the world’s most productive areas for commercial fishing. Owning these rich resources of marine life would lead to sustained economic growth. Lastly, the waters surrounding the Spratlys are one of the busiest shipping lanes of the world. Since Vietnam is dependent on sea route on South China Sea, owning the islands would give them a secure sea route. Now, the real question is “Who is the RIGHTFUL owner of the SpratlyIslands?” Well, as a Filipino,...

...
Introduction
The SpratlyIsland
The SpratlyIslands are a group of more than 750 reefs,[2] islets, atolls, cays and islands in the South China Sea. The archipelago lies off the coasts of the Philippines and Malaysia (Sabah), about one third of the way from there to southern Vietnam. They contain less than four square kilometers of land area spread over more than 425,000 square kilometers of sea. TheSpratlys are one of three archipelagos of the South China Sea which comprise more than 30,000 islands and reefs and which complicate governance and economics in that region of Southeast Asia. Such small and remote islands have little economic value in themselves, but are important in establishing international boundaries. There are no native islanders but there are, at least for now, rich fishing grounds; and initial surveys indicate the islands may contain significant reserves of oil and natural gas.
About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from Vietnam, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), Malaysia and the Philippines. Brunei has also claimed an Exclusive Economic Zone in the southeastern part of the Spratlys encompassing just one area of small islands above mean high water (on Louisa Reef). This has led to escalating tensions over the...

...SpratlyIslands
The SpratlyIslands are a group of more than 750 reefs,[1] islets, atolls, cays and islands in the South China Sea. The archipelago lies off the coasts of the Philippines and Malaysia (Sabah), about one third of the way from there to southern Vietnam. They comprise less than four square kilometers of land area spread over more than 425,000 square kilometers of sea. The Spratlys are one of three archipelagos of the South China Sea which comprise more than 30,000 islands and reefs and which complicate governance and economics in that region of Southeast Asia. Such small and remote islands have little economic value in themselves, but are important in establishing international boundaries. There are no native islanders but there are rich fishing grounds and initial surveys indicate the islands may contain significant reserves of oil and natural gas.
About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from Vietnam, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), Malaysia and the Philippines. Brunei has also claimed an EEZ in the southeastern part of the Spratlys encompassing just one area of small islands above mean high water (on Louisa Reef.)
History
Early cartography
Geographic map of Spratlys. Click for more detailed image. For a...

...the philippines what will happen?
Why shouldn't the philippines give up its claims for scarborough shoal?
Who will gain control of the spratleys in the end?The Philippines or China?
Who owns spratlyislands? Philippines or China?
China vs. Philippines War
China vs Philippine War: President Obama personal war and stance on Asia as a whole
While China and the Philippines look to avoid a China vs. Philippines war, President Obama remains strong in his conviction that the U.S. make no concessions to China. China has said the U.S. presence in the region is what started the problem in the 1st place. China has said U.S. should stay out of Asian affair's and concentrate on problem on it's own soil, namely the U.S. economy. President Obama believes differently noting China's bid to become a Superpower in the world today. President Obama believes if China is left unchecked, it will slowly consume the countries around it. President Obama said" the act of aggression towards a small country like Philippines which is a peaceful country shows China's willingness to bully if left unchecked by the rest of the world"
China has painted the picture of President Obama as a war President. China says the evidence of U.S. aggression is the sending of warships to the South China Sea. China says the South China Sea dispute is no call for U.S. to send warship's, do military exercises, and place 2,500 troops in Australia. Even at home in...

...The SpratlyIslands are a group of more than 750 reefs,[2] islets, atolls, cays and islands in the South China Sea. The archipelago lies off the coasts of the Philippines and Malaysia (Sabah), about one third of the way from there to southern Vietnam. They comprise less than four square kilometers of land area spread over more than 425,000 square kilometers of sea. The Spratlys are one of three archipelagos of the South China Sea which comprise more than 30,000 islands and reefs and which complicate governance and economics in that region of Southeast Asia. Such small and remote islands have little economic value in themselves, but are important in establishing international boundaries. There are no native islanders but there are rich fishing grounds and initial surveys indicate the islands may contain significant reserves of oil and natural gas.
About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from Vietnam, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), Malaysia and the Philippines. Brunei has also claimed an EEZ in the southeastern part of the Spratlys encompassing just one area of small islands above mean high water (on Louisa Reef.)
Geographic and economic overview
Coordinates: 8°38′N 111°55′E
Area (land): less than 5 km²
note: includes 148 or so islets, coral reefs, and seamounts...

...The SpratlyIslands are a disputed group of more than 750 reefs, islets, atolls, cays, and islands in the South China Sea.[5] The archipelago lies off the coasts of the Philippines, Malaysia (Sabah), and southern Vietnam. They contain less than 4 square kilometers (1.5 square miles) of land area spread over more than 425,000 square kilometers (164,100 square miles) of sea. The Spratlys are one of 3 archipelagos of the South China Sea which comprise more than 30,000 islands and reefs and which complicate governance and economics in that region of Southeast Asia. Such small and remote islands have little economic value in themselves but are important in establishing international boundaries. No native islanders inhabit the islands which offer rich fishing grounds and may contain significant oil and natural gas reserves.
About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from the People's Republic of China, Taiwan (ROC), Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Brunei has also claimed an exclusive economic zone in the southeastern part of the Spratlys encompassing just one area of small islands on Louisa Reef. This has led to escalating tensions between numerous countries over the disputed status of the islands.The first possible human interaction with the SpratlyIslands dates back...

...1. Intoduction
SpratlyIslands is made up of over a 100 islands, shoals and reefs. The land area is less than 5 square kilometers right at the center of West Philippine Sea. So why do regional players such China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines squabbling over it? And what is the interest of the United States of America in the issue? The simple answer is the potential for oil and natural gasoline in the area. The more complex geopolitical answer is power projection.
The purpose of this paper is to know some of the hint of the argument concerning authority over the SpratlyIslands that is often ignored by commentators as they continue the most often debated topic in South China Sea studies, which is, of course, who has the best claim to some or all of the islands. A slightly witty version of the sub-text of these remarks would be, does it matter who owns the Spratly? The answer to this question is of course important for all type of reasons.
2. Historical background
The first European to navigate the Philippine Sea was Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, who named it Mar Filipinas when he and his men were in the Mariana Islands prior to the exploration of the Philippines. Later it was discovered by other Spanish explorers from 1522 to 1565 and the site of the famous galleon trade route.
Between June 19 and...

...The SpratlyIslandsDispute in the South China Sea: Problems, Policies, and Prospects for Diplomatic Accommodation
Christopher C. Joyner
INTRODUCTION
he end of the Cold War created a strategic vacuum in the South China Sea. The collapse of the Soviet Union and its departure from Cam Ranh Bay; the closure of United States’ naval bases in the Philippines; and Vietnam’s withdrawal from Cambodia diminished superpower influence in the region. These events also prompted several East Asian littoral governments to re-calculate the strategic and national security implications of sovereignty claims made to islands in the South China Sea. In this regard, the financial turmoil that has whipsawed national economies throughout East Asia since 1998 has undercut the political stability of these same states and, in so doing, contributed to exacerbating tensions over conflicting maritime claims in the area. In 1999 the SpratlyIslandsdispute reemerged as a security flashpoint in the South China Sea. This most recent flare-up over the Spratlys occurred between China and the Philippines over structures built on the aptly-named Mischief Reef, a tiny land feature known locally as Panganiban and situated within the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone as defined by contemporary ocean law.1 Sino–Filipino conflict over Mischief Reef dates back to February 1995, when...